Book two of 'The Vengeance Duology'
Five years ago, the lads and I made the biggest mistake of our lives-a reckless decision that shattered everything.
We destroyed what mattered most, but my deepest regret is how much I hurt her.
Every moment of pa...
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The dickheads seriously think Phantom's some kind of actual ghost, managing to vanish from a room like she's got magic powers. When in reality?
I literally climbed out the fucking window and down the fire escape like a normal person.
It's almost laughable how easy it was. They were so focused on playing hero, guns blazing, that they didn't even notice me slipping out. Typical. They'll spend hours overthinking how I "disappeared," probably running through every possible scenario in their heads except the most obvious one.
I shake my head, pulling my mask tighter as I make my way down the alley. They're so predictable.
As I make my way to the end of the alley, I know Jacques has wiped all the CCTV from the area, so I don't have to worry about that right now. I yank off the wig and mask, rolling them up tight and shoving them under my arm. The cool night air hits my face as I step out of the alley, eyes scanning the street until I spot the blacked-out Ferrari pulling up with no registration plates.
Jacques pulls closer, and I slip into the passenger seat. The tension in the air hits me before he even says a word.
He doesn't waste time. "You didn't tell me you were going to kill her," he says, his voice low but sharp.
I shrug, leaning back into the seat. "Didn't think it was necessary."
His knuckles whiten around the steering wheel. "You've got to stop playing so recklessly, Valentina."
"Why does it matter?" I snap, not bothering to hide the irritation in my voice.
"Because you just went in there, killed a random girl, with no reason," Jacques fires back, his tone growing sharper.
"I had a reason," I counter, but my words feel empty even as they leave my lips.
Jacques glances at me sideways, eyes narrowing. "Which was?" he asks, and I can't answer him. Not because I don't want to, but because I don't even have a good answer for myself.
He presses on. "Because Alessio was about to get with her?"
I flinch slightly, the sting of his accusation hitting hard. "Don't," I warn, my voice quieter now, almost pleading. But Jacques knows me too well to let this go.
"I'm right, am I not?" Jacques presses, his gaze piercing through the tension.
I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks, but I force myself to remain calm. "You don't like the thought of Alessio being with anyone else, even though you're engaged," he continues, his tone a mix of challenge and concern.
I roll my eyes, trying to brush it off. "That's not it," I say, but even I can hear the weakness in my own voice. Deep down, the thought of Alessio moving on stings more than I'd like to admit.
Jacques doesn't buy it. "Then what is it? Because we went in there just to keep an eye, but as soon as he and that girl went into that room, you went straight after him."
